Vile Somerset paedophile cries as he's jailed for repeatedly molesting girl from age of 11

Paedophile Paul Gillman was sentenced to seven years in prison for repeatedly molesting a girl (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

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A vile paedophile who repeatedly molested a girl from the age of 11 wept in the dock as he was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Depraved Paul Gillman, 46, of Leaches Close, Tintinhull, near Yeovil , subjected his victim to a horrifying ordeal over a period of nearly four years and on one occasion abused her while her mother was in hospital.

He forced his victim to keep his offending quiet by threatening her not to tell anyone about "their little secret" or he would get into trouble.

But the girl plucked up the courage to tell her mother and Gillman's perverted crimes - which took place over nearly four years - were exposed.

Gillman was arrested and subsequently admitted four counts of sexual penetration of a girl under the age of 13 and six counts of sexual penetration of a girl under the age of 16.

At his sentencing at Taunton Crown Court on Friday (January 10), judge David Ticehurst told Gillman that his "planned" and "appalling" assaults had blighted his victim's life for his own "perverted sexual pleasure".

'I can barely leave the house'

In a victim impact statement read out by prosecutor Donald Tait, the girl said she had been left with severe anxiety and depression as a direct result of Gillman's offending.

The victim's statement said: "My education has been severely impacted due to the anxiety that I have suffered and I have been home schooled as I find it impossible to connect with other people of my age.

"I have been left with no friends and unable to work in addition to being unable to take up education.

"The revelation of my abuse also caused my mother to have a mental breakdown and this led to feelings of guilt on my part.

"I now have severe trust issues around men, particularly those in their early to mid-forties.

"I can barely leave the house unless my mother is with me and as a result I began to comfort eat and became overweight, leading to increased anxiety.

"I have spoken to my GP about this and he has recommended counselling, but the thought of doing this causes me to have an anxiety attack."

Mr Tait added that Gillman had escalated the seriousness of the attacks over a period of time.

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'He was unable to stop himself'

Defending, Patrick Mason said Gillman had been quick to admit the offences when confronted.

He said: "He has been grappling with what he has done for the last few years.

"It is right to say that my client very much regrets what happened and it is right to say that he accepts he had what amounted to a devious attraction to the girl.

"What he was doing horrified him but he said he was unable to stop himself.

"When it did stop, he was appalled by his actions. He has been waiting to be punished and accepts he deserves to be punished."

'Perverted' sexual interest 'blighted' victim's life

Sentencing, Judge Ticehurst added: "For about four years you sexually abused and assaulted your victim.

"The effects that this had on her have been considerable, devastating and long-lasting.

"Her education has been affected, she suffers from anxiety and depression, and all of this for your perverted sexual interest in a child.

"This was no impulsive, one-off activity. It was planned and carried out over a number of years.

"You've blighted the victim's life and that of her family and no doubt that will stay with them for some time, all for your perverted sexual pleasure."

Seven years in prison

Gillman was sentenced to seven years in prison and will remain on licence for one year after his release.

He was also given a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and ordered to remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Following the sentencing, a spokesman for the NSPCC charity in the South West said: “The abuse Gillman inflicted on this young girl will have had a devastating impact on her that can take years to recover from.

“She has shown remarkable courage in speaking out about what happened to her to bring him to justice, and it is crucial she receives help and support to move forward with her life.”